On January 2, 1817, Marcellin Champagnat founded, in La Valla, France, the Institute of the Marist Brothers. The mission of making Jesus Christ known and loved by children and young people has been realized across borders and, today, the Marist presence exceeds 80 countries on five continents.

Worldwide, there are more than 75 thousand Brothers, Lay people and collaborators working for more than 650 thousand children, adolescents, young people and adults. Celebrating these 203 years since the beginning of the Marist mission is a way of boldly responding to the challenges of the world today and renewing the commitment to be a sign of hope for those who need it most.

Champagnat's mission in 2020

The Marist Network is the result of this history, and today it continues a bicentennial legacy thanks to the dedication of more than 10,000 people. They are Brothers and professionals from different specialties who daily promote life in the areas of education, social, health and in the Amazon.